York, PA - The important thing is that Penn State landed a quarterback who can start in its system next month.

And who simply had enough raw talent.

And, of course, would be coached by Bill O'Brien and assistant Charlie Fisher.

So, junior college QB Tyler Ferguson seems to be a good enough fit for the Nittany Lions after losing out on their top choice.

A day after they were turned down by the No. 1 JUCO quarterback, Jake Waters, the Lions received a verbal commitment from Ferguson from the College of the Sequoias in Visalia, Calif., late last week.

"He's a big kid, and he's going to take a little bit of work," said national recruiting expert Mike Farrell of Rivals.com. "But that's something Bill O'Brien showed last year, that he can certainly work with a quarterback who needs some work."

Farrell was referring to how former walk-on Matt McGloin blossomed into the Big Ten's leading passer as a senior under O'Brien.

Now Ferguson steps in to compete with sophomore-to-be Steven Bench. They will be the only scholarship quarterbacks on the Penn State roster until prized prospect Christian Hackenberg arrives in the summer.

Ferguson is 6-foot-4 and about 210 pounds and has four years to play three at Penn State.

"He's physically ready," Farrell said. "The biggest thing is his interceptions and decision making . . . He has a big arm, but he tends to use that arm to force things too much."

Ferguson was a promising recruit until breaking his collarbone during his senior season two years ago. A top student, he played junior college football for a year to simply gain more big-time recruiting interest.

"There have been two-star quarterbacks who have gone on to greatness," Farrell said. "It really depends on how (Ferguson) takes to the coaching and fits into the system."